LA show: Two more Porsche Cayenne variants on the way

PORSCHE Cars Australia has confirmed its updated Cayenne SUV range will be boosted by an entry level petrol V6 variant as well as the mid-range GTS in February next year.

The facelifted version of the second-generation high-riding performance wagon arrives in local Porsche dealerships later this month, with pricing for the Diesel, S, S Diesel, S E-Hybrid and Turbo confirmed in August.

The addition of the V6 and GTS early next year brings the range to seven.

While the petrol V6 was the cheapest Cayenne on offer before the facelift, the refreshed version is priced at $108,000, plus on-road costs, which is $7800 dearer than the outgoing model.

It also places it above the base Diesel that kicks the range off from $104,700.

Porsche says the premium over the previous version is made up for by the healthier standard features list that includes bi-Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights, multi-function sports steering wheel with paddle shifters, automatic tailgate opening and idle stop.

Australian-spec versions also gain auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors and 19-inch Cayenne Turbo wheels as standard.

Power comes from the familiar 220kW/400Nm 3.6-litre naturally aspirated V6 petrol engine matched with an eight-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission.

This is enough to push the Cayenne from a standing start to 100km/h in 7.7 seconds – or 7.6 seconds if it is matched with the optional Sports Chrono package – on to a top speed of 230km/h. Porsche says the 0-100km/h sprint time is 0.2 seconds quicker than the previous model.

Much like other variants in the refreshed range, the V6 benefits from fuel efficiency gains, this time 0.7 litres per 100 kilometres for an official combined figure of 9.2L/100km, while CO2 emssions have improved by 21g/km, to 215g/km.

Further up the range, the new GTS, which Porsche says is traditionally the most popular petrol-powered variant in the range, kicks off from $154,600 – a $4200 increase over the superseded version.

The German sportscar-maker says the 3.6-litre bi-turbo engine is the “performance-oriented enhancement” of the new engine found in the Cayenne S, and offers an output of 323kW/600Nm, which represents a 14kW/85Nm boost over the outgoing GTS.

The extra grunt has boosted the 0-100km/h sprint time by 0.5 seconds to 5.2s, or 5.1s with the Sports Chrono package, before hitting the 262km/h top speed.

Porsche said fuel consumption of 9.8-10L/100km for the updated GTS is an improvement of 0.9L/100km over the outgoing model.

A sports exhaust system is standard on the GTS, as is the Porsche Active Suspension Management damping system and air suspension that reduces ride height by 20mm.

The Cayenne Turbo's brakes are standard on the GTS and include 390mm front and 358m rear discs and red callipers.

Aussie-bound GTS Cayennes feature heated front seats, metallic paint and an electric sunroof as standard.

Luxury goodies in the cabin include eight-way adjustable sports seats with driver memory function in leather and Alcantara upholstery and GTS lettering for the headrests. Buyers can choose to add the GTS package in carmine red or rhodium silver with stitching, headrest lettering, seatbelts and tacho face in a contrasting colour.

Sporty styling flourishes to the GTS exterior include the Turbo's front bumper with large air intakes, and Porsche's Sport Design package along with contoured side sills and wheel-arch extensions.

The GTS features a darker theme than other variants, with black the colour of choice for all lettering, the 20-inch wheels, tailpipes and the fittings for the bi-Xenon headlights and LED tail-lights. GTS lettering is also featured on the doors.

Early last month, Porsche announced the return of the GTS to its 911 Carrera range in coupe and cabriolet guise, starting with the Carrera 2 GTS coupe form $268,700, plus on-road costs.

The GTS badge dates back to the 904 Carrera GTS from 1963, but after a long absence, the acronym was revived in 2007 with the first-generation Cayenne facelift.

Both the Cayenne V6 and the GTS will be on the Porsche stand at the Los Angeles motor show later this month.

Porsche Cayenne pricing*

Cayenne Diesel	$104,700
Cayenne	$108,000
Cayenne S Hybrid	$139,200
Cayenne S	$139,900
Cayenne S Diesel	$143,200
Cayenne GTS	$154,600
Cayenne Turbo	$230,800

*Excludes on-road costs.